Mri magnet room cleaning system

ABSTRACT

A cleaner system for an MRI magnet room. The system includes a base vacuum and/or steam unit configured to supply vacuum and/or steam, the unit disposed outside the MRI magnet room. A hand-held or portable dispensing unit is substantially free of magnetic material so that it is safe to use inside the magnet room. A tubing system for conveying vacuum and/or steam from the base unit to the handheld unit, the tubing system including a magnet room portion configured for disposition inside the magnet room and free of magnetic material. A communication link is configured to communicate control signals generated by user manipulation of a control panel to the base unit.

BACKGROUND

In the past 30 years of the MRI existence in the market, there has beenmany advances in safety and image quality, but there has not been anyequipment to make the magnet or scanner room clean and germ free.

The safety of the caregiver and the patients is of paramount importancein the hospital environments. Cleanness of the magnet room is difficultbecause of the MRI magnet. Under the table and under the magnet also inmany MRI room, layers of dust has piled up due to the fact that cleaningcrew do not have a good way to do any detail cleaning such as vacuum anddisinfecting of the room.

Conventional handheld-vacuum cleaners with long hoses have been used inthe MRI with the condition that the actual power unit has to be 10 feetaway from the actual MRI magnet. This solution is not acceptable becausethe actual vacuum system is highly magnetic and if a cleaning personunknowingly brought it close to the magnet, that could be catastrophic,leading to a serious injury or death, if the unit turns into a dangerousprojectile. In the past, there are reported cases in which persons wereseriously injured in the instances where the person accidently took theferro-magnetic equipment's inside the magnet room.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and advantages of the disclosure will readily be appreciated bypersons skilled in the art from the following detailed description whenread in conjunction with the drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic top view of a vacuum and steam cleaning systemin an existing/functional MRI suite of an equipment/computer room and anadjacent magnet room. FIG. 1A is a schematic illustration of the systembase unit and the handheld or portable dispensing unit.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic side illustration of the tubing/hoses passedthrough the penetration room of the system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a further diagrammatic view of the MRI suite installation ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary air suction and steam port of the tubingsystem for a second embodiment of an installation in which the tubingsystem includes a network of tubing embedded in walls of the MRI magnetroom.

FIGS. 5 and 6 diagrammatically illustrate a portion of a network ofhoses/tubing installed in the MRI room wall in the second embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic top view illustration of the second embodiment ofthe system, in which a network of tubing/hoses is embedded within wallsof the MRI room.

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic depiction of an exemplary connection of thebase unit to the penetration panel for the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic isometric view of an exemplary embodiment ofthe handheld or portable dispensing unit.

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic illustration of the IR signal controllerinterface mounted to the penetration panel with the tubing/hoses.

FIG. 11 diagrammatically illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an IRsignal controller interface device as in FIG. 10

FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 are schematic diagrams of exemplary embodiments ofthe signal communication system of the system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description and in the several figures of thedrawing, like elements are identified with like reference numerals. Thefigures are not to scale, and relative feature sizes may be exaggeratedfor illustrative purposes.

There are described herein three exemplary embodiments of a system forcleaning and sanitizing an MRI magnet room, including vacuum/steamhoses/tubing with steam cleaning capabilities. The first embodiment(FIGS. 1-3) is for the case of an existing MRI scanner 20 already builtand operational. A combined vacuum and steam cleaner base unit 50 withsufficient suction and steam power is installed inside the MRIequipment/computer room 10, as it typically has significant magneticmaterial, such as pumps, tanks and the like. The system tubing/hoses 52are connected from the base unit 50 to connector ports on one side ofthe penetration panel 14A in the wall 14. Vacuum/steam tubing/hoses 52Aare connected to the connector ports on the magnet room via penetrationpanel 14A (FIG. 10) inside the magnet room with long enough retractabletubing/hoses sections 52A that preferably can reach all four corners ofthe magnet room with both vacuum and steam. The hoses 52A are connectedto a handheld or portable dispensing unit 70 adapted for use in themagnet room.

In an exemplary embodiment, the hoses 52A and the dispensing unit aregenerally free of magnetic material, and may be classified as “MRconditional” items, according to the definitions set out in “MR LabelingInformation for Implants and Devices,” Frank G. Shellock et al,Radiology, Volume 253, No. 1, October 2009, pages 26-30, the entirecontents of which are incorporated herein by this reference. The hosesand dispensing unit would not typically be in use during an MRIprocedure in the magnet room.

FIG. 1A is a diagrammatic diagram of the base unit 50 and the handheldor portable dispensing unit 70. The base unit 50 includes a vacuum pump50G and a steam generator which includes a water tank 50A, a boilermodule 50B with a boiler/pressure tank, which generates steam from thewater. A supply of detergent/disinfectant solution is held in tank 50F.A steam/solution mixing valve 50C is connected to the boiler module andthe tank 50F to mix the solution with the steam. wherein thedetergent/disinfectant may be dispensed into the steam prior to leavingthe base unit 50. A controller 50E monitors the water level and shutsoff the steam if the water level is low. The steam/solution is conveyedthrough a hose to the hose assembly connector panel 50D. The purpose ofsteam is for cleaning as well as disinfection of the room and anythingelse necessary inside the magnet room.

The vacuum pump 50G is also connected by a hose segment to the connectorpanel 50D. The pressure side of the pump is connected to a wet/drycollection chamber and then passed through a HEPA filter 501 fordischarge into the atmosphere. The connector panel 50D may then beconnected to hoses 52 (not shown in FIG. 1A). Ultimately thesteam/vacuum lines (not shown in FIG. 1A) are connected to thehandheld/portable dispensing unit 70, connected through extension 74 tothe vacuum/steam head 76. The unit 70 includes controls and statusindicators 72, which communicates with base unit controls and statusindicators 50K via a communication link generally indicated as link 60.The link may be wireless, wired, or a hybrid, as described more fullybelow.

It is to be understood that, while a combined steam/vacuum system hasbeen described, the cleaning system may employ only a vacuum systemwithout steam, or only a steam system without vacuum. In the steam onlycase, the vacuum pump and vacuum hoses may be omitted. In the vacuumonly case, the water tank, detergent/disinfectant tank, the boilermodule, the controller and the mixer, with the associated steam hoses,may be omitted.

The particulars of the setup depend on the layout of the existing MRIsite. The steam and vacuum hoses include an equipment/control roomportion 52 and an MRI magnet room portion 52A, connected in the magnetroom via the penetration pane 14A. The magnet room side of the hoses 52Aare long enough to reach all corners of the MRI room. After the servicethe hoses 52A can be coiled and stored in the cabinet of the penetratingpanel 14A. A typical length of the hoses 52A may be between 20 to 30feet.

The hoses 52A may be designed to retractable or simply coil and hang onthe wall of the penetration panel 14A. A jacket may be included toenclose both steam and vacuum hoses. Connectors in the penetration panelprovide for the hoses 52 and 52A to be interconnected at the penetrationpanel or at wall-mounted ports, as shown in FIG. 10.

The hoses 52A are connected to the handheld or portable dispensing unit70, to be described in more detail below. The hoses 52A are preferablysubstantially free of stiffeners made of magnetic material such asferrous spring wire. Stiffeners made of stainless steel could beemployed; the material is not to be used inside the bore or tunnel ofthe MRI during imaging. A communication system or link 60 (FIG. 1A),examples of which are described more fully below, allows the user of thehandheld unit to communicate with the base unit, in this exemplaryembodiment, to control the base unit in supplying vacuum/steam. Thecommunication system is designed for use in the magnet room, preferablywithout significant magnetic material. The communication system includesa control module or panel powered by a non-magnetic battery and mountedin the unit 70, or alternatively on a wall or other structure within themagnet room.

A second embodiment is configured for the case in which a new magnetroom is constructed, so that the system may be integrated with thedesign. The hoses/tubing 54 for both steam and air suction connectionsmay be installed in all walls of the MRI magnet room, with severalopenings or ports with spring loaded vacuum-sealed caps, similar toconventional vacuum systems used in a central vacuum system in somenewly built houses. This has the advantage of being strategicallyneater. The MRI cleaning crew can plug the steam and vacuum hoses 52A inany one of the four ports 80 located on any of the four walls of the MRIsuite for cleaning. When use of the cleaning system is finished, thehoses can be disconnected from the ports, and the ports willautomatically shut close so no air or steam would be released into theroom. See FIGS. 4-8.

For either the first or second embodiment of the tubing/hoseinstallation, the installation will include a handheld or portabledispensing unit 70 (FIG. 9) in communication with a Signal Controllerinterface 90. By handheld or portable, in the exemplary embodiment, theunit 70 has a control or handle end manipulated by the user, and a toolor head 76 through which vacuum and steam are administered to thesurface or object. The tool end may have wheels to provide support. Theunit 70 is connected to the distal end of the hoses 52A in the magnetroom and is substantially free of magnetic material so that it can beused safely in the magnet room. The electronic components may have asmall amount of iron and not be totally non-magnetic since the handheldunit is not used over the patient during an MRI or iMRI scan, would nothave a negative effect on MRI images, and the mass is so small as to benegligible in relation to the mass of the entire unit 70. The unit hasdispensing openings to separately deliver suction and steam at theoutlet end of the unit. There is typically an extension tube 74, 3 to 4feet in length, connecting the control head portion 70A to thedispensing tool 76. The tool 76 may be interchangeable with other tools,depending on the application.

In an exemplary embodiment, the handheld or portable dispensing unit 70includes a head control 72 (FIGS. 1A, 9 and 12-14) which allows the userto control the base unit 50, with switches to control vacuum (on/off),steam (on and steam volume selector), and to display the base unit steamtank water level and the steam volume selected by the user.

The interface 90 assists in communication between the unit 70 connectedto the distal end of the hoses 52A. The communication between the twocomponents, the unit 70 and base/steamer unit 50, is configured so thatcontrol of the vacuum and steam system may be executed by the userworking in the magnet room 12, by manipulating controls 72 on the unit.The controls 72 in this exemplary embodiment include, but are notlimited to, the steam-temperature setting, suction-ON, suction-OFF,steam-ON, and steam-OFF. The communication in exemplary embodiments isvia IR/RF/Bluetooth links, via IR/RF/direct wire connections, or bydirect wire connections. The communication link is preferablybidirectional so that the handheld unit can control the base unit 50 andthe system status can display on the handheld unit.

A wireless communication interface adaptable to this system is describedin U.S. Pat. No. 10,083,598, Alert System for MRI Technologist andCaregiver, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by thisreference.

The IR signal controller interface unit 90 may be mounted into thepenetration panel between the equipment/computer room and the magnetroom. This interface 90 sends the wireless signals of the controls 72from the unit 70 to the vacuum base/steamer 50 in the Equipment/ComputerRoom and sends system status signals to the handheld unit 70. FIGS.11-13 illustrate exemplary embodiments of the IR signal controllerinterface to control the vacuum handheld unit 70 and the vacuumbase/steamer equipment using Bluetooth/RF/IR.

The signal configuration for the commands between the handheld unit andthe vacuum base/steamer of the vacuum System can be linked either viawire or via IR/RF/Bluetooth.

FIG. 12 illustrates a communication system which provides command signalcommunication from the handheld or portable unit 70 to the basevacuum/steamer unit 50. The control panel 72 on the unit 70 includes anon-magnetic battery 72A to power the control panel, and a wireless (RF)receiver/transmitter module 72B connected to the panel. The moduleprovides the capability to wireless transmit the control commands fromthe panel to a corresponding wireless receiver/transmitter unit 90Acomprising the module 90 installed in the penetration panel 14A. Thereceived signals from 90A are converted to IR by IR receiver/transmitter90B on the magnet room side of the panel 14A for transmission by IRreceiver/transmitter 90C through the penetration panel 14A to acorresponding IR receiver/transmitter 90E on the equipment room side ofthe penetration panel. A non-magnetic battery 90D powers the units 90A,90B, 90C.

An IR interface 90F is connected to the unit 90E and converts IR to RFor vice versa. The received commands are sent to wirelessreceiver/transmitter 90G for transmission to the base station 50. Thetransmitted commands are received at wireless receiver/transmitter unit901 on the unit 50, which responds to the commands to control operationof the unit 50. A battery 90H powers the units 90E, 90F and 90G. Thecommunication link further allows status data regarding the base unit 50to be communicated to the handheld unit 70, so that status informationcan be displayed on the head control 72.

FIG. 13 illustrates an alternate communication system configuration, inwhich the same reference numbers refer to the same elements. Thedifference is that, in this embodiment, the control signals from the IRinterface 90F are sent directly to the base unit 50 by a wiredconnection 90J.

FIG. 11 diagrammatically depicts the interface unit 90, positioned inthe penetration panel 14A, with the reference numbers conforming tothose in FIGS. 12 and 13. Circuit boards 90-AB and 90-FG include thecircuitry to perform the functions described above with respect to 90 A,90B for circuit board 90-AB, and with respect to 90F, 90G for circuitboard 90-FG. The unit 90 includes covers 90-1 and 90-2 which aretransparent to wireless signals. The penetration panel 14A iselectrically conductive and has an opening 14A-1 formed therein.Electrically conductive support structures 14B and 14C are configured toprovide a waveguide 14D through the opening and also structural supportfor the circuit boards 90-AB and 90-FG. Support structure 14B has athreaded male end which is passed through the opening 14A and is engagedby a female threaded end of the support 14C to secure the structures inplace. The waveguide 14D prevents RF noise from passing through thepenetration panel while allowing IR energy to pass between the IRreceiver/transmitters 90C and 90E.

FIG. 14 illustrates a further alternate communication systemconfiguration, in which the same reference number refer to the sameelements. In this embodiment, the communication link between thehandheld unit 70 in the magnet room 12 and the base unit 50 in theequipment/computer room 10 is a wired link. A low-pass filter 100 isinstalled in the penetration panel 14 opening, between connectors oneach side of the panel. The low-pass filter prevents higher frequencynoise from passing through the panel. A cable 102 connects to the baseunit 50 in room 10. A non-magnetic cable 104 connects from thepenetration panel to the head control 72 of the handheld unit 70. Thecommunication cables could be bundled with the steam vacuum hoses 62 and52A.

Although the foregoing has been a description and illustration ofspecific embodiments of the subject matter, various modifications andchanges thereto can be made by persons skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cleaner system for an MRI installation including a magnet room and an equipment room, the system comprising: a base unit configured to supply one of vacuum and steam, or both, the unit disposed outside the MRI magnet room; a hand-held or portable dispensing unit substantially free of magnetic material for use inside the magnet room, the unit including a dispensing tool for delivering one of vacuum and steam or both; a tubing system for conveying one of vacuum and steam or both from the base unit to the handheld unit, the tubing system including an magnet room portion configured for disposition inside the magnet room; a communication link configured to communicate control signals generated by user manipulation of a control panel inside the magnet room to the base unit to control the base unit remotely away from the base unit.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the communication link includes a wireless signal interface.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the magnet room portion of the tubing system is connected through a port in a penetration panel between the equipment room and the magnet room of the MRI system.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the tubing system includes a network of pipes embedded within walls of the magnet room connected to a plurality of ports on a plurality of walls of the magnet room.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the magnet room portion of the tubing system is configured for connection to any one of the plurality of ports.
 6. The system of claim 1 wherein the communication link includes a wired signal link connected between a penetration panel in a wall between the magnet room and the equipment room.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the base unit is configured to supply both steam and vacuum, and the magnet room portion of the tubing system includes a steam hose and a vacuum hose connected to the handheld or portable unit.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the hand-held or portable dispensing unit includes the control panel.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the communication link includes a wired signal link between the control panel and the base unit.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the base unit is configured to supply steam.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the base unit comprises: a water tank; a boiler module for producing steam from water; a tank for holding a solution of detergent and/or disinfectant; a mixing valve for mixing steam and the solution.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein the base unit is configured to supply vacuum only.
 13. The system of claim 1, wherein the magnet room portion is substantially free of magnetic material.
 14. A cleaner system for an MRI installation including a magnet room and an equipment room separated by a common wall having a penetration panel, the system comprising: a base unit configured to supply at least one or both of vacuum and steam, the base unit disposed outside the MRI magnet room; a hand-held or portable dispensing unit substantially free of magnetic material for use inside the magnet room, the unit including a dispensing tool for delivering at least one or both of vacuum and steam and a control panel; a tubing system for conveying at least one or both of vacuum and steam from the base unit to the handheld unit, the tubing system including a magnet room portion configured for disposition inside the magnet room; a communication link configured to communicate control signals generated by user manipulation of the control panel through the penetration panel to the base unit to control vacuum and/or steam generation remotely away from the base unit.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the communication link includes: a first wireless RF receiver/transmitter unit mounted in the hand-held or portable unit and configured to transmit and receive one or both of digital control signals and status signals; a second wireless RF receiver/transmitter mounted at or adjacent the penetration panel and configured to receive from and transmit RF signals to the first receiver/transmitter; a first Infrared (IR) interface on a magnet room side of the penetration panel for converting RF signals from the second RF receiver/transmitter into IR signals and to convert IR signals into RF signals; a first IR receiver/transmitter configured to transmit IR signals through an opening in the penetration panel and to receive IR signals from the penetration panel opening.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the communication link further comprises, on the equipment room side: a second IR receiver/transmitter configured to receive and transmit IR signals through the opening; a second IR interface on an equipment room side of the penetration panel for converting RF signals into IR signals and to convert IR signal into RF signals; a third wireless RF receiver/transmitter configured to transmit and receive one or both of control signals and status signals; a fourth wireless RF receiver/transmitter configured to transmit the control signals to the base unit to control the vacuum and steam operation of the base unit.
 17. The system of claim 15, wherein the communication link includes: a second IR receiver/transmitter configured to receive and transmit IR signals through the opening; a second IR interface on an equipment room side of the penetration panel a wired communication link from the second IR interface to the base unit; the second IR interface configured to convert the IR signals received from the second IR receiver/transmitter into control signals for transmission over the wired communication link and to convert signals received from the wired communication link into IR signals.
 18. The system of claim 15, wherein the opening in the penetration panel is defined by a waveguide structure configured to block passage of RF noise.
 19. The system of claim 14, wherein the communication link comprises: a low pass filter installed in a port in the penetration panel; a first wired link connected between the filter and the hand-held or portable unit in the magnet room; a second wired link connected between the filter and the base unit in the equipment room. 